Spark-plug.



H. F. SADGEBURY.

SPARK PLUG.

APPLICATION mu) )ULY l. 1916.

1,269,862. Patented June 18, 1918.

INVENTOR WM FQEOQ BY Mama/UK;

A TTORNEV ETATES PATENT OFFICE HERMAN F. SADGEIBURY, OF DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO WOLVERINE SPARK PLUG- COMPANY, INC., OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK, (INCOR- POBATED IN 1916.)

SPARK-PLUG.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J une 18, 1918.

Original application filed November 10, 1913, Serial No. 800,161. Divided and this application filed July 1,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HERMAN F. SADGE- BURY, a citizen of the United States, residing at 128 Park street, Dayton, Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spark-Plugs, of which I declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to spark plugs for internal combustion engines and more particularly to spark plugs of the quickly detachable type in which the insulator is removable without the use of a Wrench or other tool. This application is filed as a division of my pending application, Serial No. 800,161, filed Nov. 10, 1913, which application is a continuation of my application, Serial No. 660,059, filed Nov. 13, 1911.

The principal object of this invention is to provide such connections between the insulator and the member in which it is to seat and such fastening means for locking the insulator to its seat as to permit of the quick detachment and removal of the insulator without the use of any tools. Another object of my invention is to provide means which, while permitting the quick removal and detachment of the insulator, lock the insulator effectively in place in its seat, forming an efii cient gas-tight joint between the insulator and the member in which it seats so as to prevent leakage of gas from the engine cylinder when under compression. a

I accomplish the objects of my invention, in the structures shown in this application, by the use of a rotatable member having a handle shaped for convenient grasping by the hand, so that it may be manually turned, and having a hearing or bearings fixed relative to the insulator seat, and having a cam portion, or a portion eccentric to the axis of the bearing or bearings which acts, through some intermediate connection, upon the insulator, when the rotatable member is rotated, to apply pressure to the insulator to force and lock the insulator to its seat until the rotatable member is rotated to release the pressure preparatory to the removal of the insulator.

Considered from another viewpoint, 1 accomplish the objects of my invention by the Serial No. 107,188.

use of a pressure applying element or memher which may be actuated to apply pressure to the insulator through some intermediate connection and which is removable to permit the removal of the insulator.

The above principle of operation is applied in a number of different forms of construction which I have herein shown and described and undoubtedly numerous other forms can readily be devised making use or my novel principle of operation.

In the preferred embodiment of my invention, the insulator, which. may seat in a bushing, as shown, or directly in the engine casing, has an upwardly facing annular shoulder upon which a ring rests.

A transversely removable rotatable member is journaled in bearings in the bushing, extends through the insulator and has ec centric or cam portions disposed in diametrically opposite openings in the ring and acting on the ring to apply pressure to the insulator when the member is rotated.

In another embodiment of my invention, the insulator has a transverse opening therethrough and a Wedge, having hearings in the bushing, extending through the opening in the insulator :having its lower inclined surface engaging a portion of the insulator so that, as the wedge is shifted transversely of the insulator, it will force the insulator to its seat. For shifting the wedge. 1 provide a rotatable member having fixed bearings on the bushing and having an eccentric portion engaging one end of the wedge so that rotation of the member will shift the wedge transversely of the insulator.

It will be observed that, in both of these embodiments, the member, which is manipuiated to apply pressure to the insulator,acts upon the insulator through an intermediate member.

Further objects, and objects relating to details of construction and economies of ma nufacture, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification. The invention is ciearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

Structures constituting preferred. embodiments of my invention are clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification in which:

Figure I is a view in side elevation of a spark plug constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of my invention.

Fig. II is a longitudinal, sectional view through the plug shown in Fig. I.

Fig. III is a view, taken at right angles to Fig. II, showing the insulator in elevation and the bushing and ring in section.

Fig. IV isnaqperspective, view of theretatable member.

Fig. V is a view in side elevation of the ring, the rotatable member being. shown. in section.

Fig. VI is anview in side elevation. ofia modifiedform of my invention.;.

In the drawings, similar .referencenumerail indicate similar parts throughout: the several views.

Considering the numbered parts i of. the drawings, it will be seen that the plug is composedof .two main partathe bushing 1, and the insulator 2. The upperipart 3 of the bushing is preferably of non-circular shape for engagement by a wrench or similar tool and :the lowerpart 4 isexternally threaded so as to screw into the-head of an engine cylinder. The bushing has an. axial opening therethrouglt the lower: part of which is of smalleiw diameter! than. the upper part so that an internal, upwardly facing shoulder 5 isformed atithc point where the diameter of the opening; changes.- Diametrically opposite bearing. openings 7 and 8 areprovided in the upperipart ot the bushing in which the rotatable. pressure applying member has its bearings. The insulator is formed; with antexternal downwardly facing shoulder 9, adapted to on the shoulder 50f the bushing, and an external upwardly facing shoulder. 10 located above the shoulder 9. A gasket" 6 may be interposed between the shoulders 5 and 9 to aid in forming a gas-tight joint between the insulator and the bushing. A ring- 11 is disposed between the bushing and the insulator resting on the upwardly-facing shoulder 10 and provided with openings 12' diametrically opposite-each other. A rota table pressure applying member, provided with bearing portions,14 and 15, adapted to fit in the bearing openings 7 and 8, extends through the transverse opening 16in the insulator. the openings 12 in the ring and the openings 7 and '8 in the bushing. This rotatable member is providedwitha cam or eccentric portion 13 between the bearing portions 14 and 15, said eccentric portion being formed so that portions of its. periphery are at greater distancesfrom the axis of the bearingportions than are other portions. The bearing portion 14 is of less diameter thanthe bearing portion15 and the openings 7 and 8 are of corresponding diameter so that the rotatable member is removable by movement in a plane transverse to the axis of the insulator. The ends of the eccentric portion 13 operate in the diametrically opposite openings 12 in the ring 11 and theopenings 19 may be so formed as to have a corresponding side of each opening nearer the axis of rotation than the other sides so that the eccentric port ion 13 of the rotatable member will be carried against such sides just after passing the position at which it displaces the ring and insulator downwardly the maximum distance. The sides of the openings 12 thus serve to limit the rotation o-fithe pressure applying member. Furthermore, when the rotation of the member is. thus limited it cannot be rotated in thereverse direction to release the insulator without applying sufli'cient force to rotate it back past the point of maximum displacement and thus this arrangement may be used to assist in preventing unintcnional rotation of the retatable member. The rotatable mcmberiis provided with a knurled head 17 by means of which it can be rotated.

An electrode 18 extends longitudinally: of the insulator 2 throughout its length, said electrode passing to one side-ofthe opening 16 so that sufficient insulation surrounds the electrode 18 at this point. A'metal cap 19 is secured to the top of the insulatorwith which the electrode 18 electrically connects and said cap earried the terminal. 20-which is adapted to be electrically connected with one pole of a battery orother source of ignition current. A second electrode 21 extends longitudinally of the insulator from the lower end thereof to the transverse opening 16, piercing the npper side wall of said open ing so that, when the rotatable member is rotatated to lock the insulator to itsseat, the member will engage the upper'end of the electrode and electrically connect it with the bushing and, through thehushing, with the other pole of the battery or other source of ignition current. It will be obvious that. when the rotatable member is' removed, the electrical. circuit will bebrokerr and the plug will not spark.

In Fig. V'I I have-shown another embodi ment of my invention. In this embodiment the bushing 1 has an upper portion 3- of- .Lid

non-circular cross section and a lower ex ing portions 25 and 26 Working in openings 27 and 28 formed in the upper part of the bushing. The lower surface of the wedge 24 is inclined and engages the lower surface of the opening in the insulator at its point of smallest diameter. It will be seen that the wedge 24; is mounted so that it is free to shift in a direction transverse to the axis of the plug while it is held against any other movement. Bearings 29 and 30 are provided on the upper part 3 of the bushing and a rotatable pressure applying member is mounted therein and extends vertically alongside the upper part of the bushing. This rotatable member has bearing portions 31 and 32, which Work in the bearings 29 and 30. and a cam or eccentric 33 which is adapted to engage the end of the wedge 24. The rotatable member has a handle 34 by means of which it can be rotated, and the hearing portions 31 and 32 are of different diameters. the hearings 2 and 30 having diameters corresponding thereto.

From the description of the parts given above the operation should be very readily understood. Considering the embodiment shown in Figs. I to V inclusive, it will be evident that the parts are assembled with the insulator 2 disposed Within the opening of the bushing 1 and the shoulder 9 resting on the gasket 6 on the bushing shoulder 5. The ring 1.1 is disposed between the bushing and the insulator with its lower edge resting on the shoulder 10 of the insulator. These parts are so disposed relative to each other that the bearing openings 7 and the openings 12 in the ring. and the opening 16 through the insulator are in line with each o her. The rotatable member is then inserted until its bearing portions 14 and 15 rest in the bearing openings 7 and 8 rcspcc tivcly. and the ends of the eccentric portion 13 rest. in the openings 1.2 of the ring 11. The rotatable member is then rotated by means of the knurled head 17 and the occentric portion 13. acting on the ring 11. force and locks the insulator to its seat. The peculiar shape of the openings 12 causes the e centric portion to crane against the one side thereof and limits the rotation of the pressure applying element when the pointof maximum displacement has been passed.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. VI. the insulator is disposed in the axial opening o the bushing with the shoulder 9 engaging the houlder 5 of the bushing and the trans erse opening 22 in line with the hearing openings 27 and 28. The wedge 24 is then inserted unti its bearing portions 25 and 26 rest in the hearing openings 27 and 29 and its lower inclined surface engages the lower surface of the opening 22 at the smallest part thereof. The pressure applying member is then inserted in place with its bearing po tions 31 and 32 working in the bearings 29 and 30 and its eccentric portion 33 engaging the end of wedge 24. The member is then rotated by means of the handle 3L and the eccentric portion 33 engaging the end of the wedge, shifts it transversely of the axis of the insulator. The wedge is held against movement in the direction of the axis of the plug and therefore, this transverse movement of the wedge acts on the insulator and Forces it firmly to its seat. Since the wedge engages the insulator at a point substantially in the center of the opening 22, the pressure is applied to the insulator in a line substantially coincident with the axis of the insulator. This tends to prevent tilting of the insulator as it is forced to its seat.

In both of the embodiments of my invention which I have shown here, the insulator is locked to its seat by reason of the fact that the eccentric portion of the rotatablepressure applying element assumes a substantially dead center relationship with the member on which it acts. That is to say the reactive forces exerted by said member on the rotatable element are directed on a line which passes substantially through the axis of the rotatable element. As a result, the moment of force is insufficient to overcome the frictional resistance and all unintentional rotation of the pressure applying element is thus prevented.

I have shown the insulator as seating in a bushing but it might also seat directly in an opening in the engine casing. In that case. the bearings for the rotatable member would have to be provided on the engine casing and. in the form shown in Fig. VI. bearings for the wedge would also have to be provided on the engine casing. I contemplate such a structure as coming clearly within the scope of my invention. T have shown both of the electrodes carried hr the insu lnlor, hutlhis is not essent al to my invention although it is desirable so that both f the electrodes can be inspected upon removing the insulator and so that the distance etween the sparking points will not be varied by removing: the insulz-itor. I ha e shown the second electrode terminating in th opening in the insulator so that it makes ele trical connection with the r tatable clc- :aent but this is n t essential to the broad features of my invention and the second electrode might very well be carried by the lower end of the insulator so as to make electrical connection with the bushing when he insulator is in place. I have also shown the openings 12 in the ring 11 so formed as to limit the rotation of the rotatable element but this arrangement may very well be dispensed with without departing from the broad features of my invention.

I am aware that the particular embodiments here shown and described may be varied considerably without departing from the spirit of my invention and, therefore, I desire to claim them broadly as indicated by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a spark plug, the combination of a relatively fixed member; an electrode carrying insulator adapted to removably seat therein; a single pressure applying element rotatable about an axis at a large angle to the axis of the insulator; and intermediate connections through which pressure is transmitted to said insulator to lock it to its seat when said pressure applying element is rotated.

2. In a spark plug, the combination of a relatively fixed member; an electrode carry ing insulator adapted to removably seat therein; a single pressure applying element journaled in said fixed member, and rotatable about an axis transverse to the axis of the insulator; and intermediate connections through which pressure is transmitted. to said insulator to lock it to its seat when said pressure applying element is rotated.

3. In a spark plug, the combination of a relatively fixed member; an electrode carrying insulator adapted to removably seat therein; a single pressure applying element, journaled in said fixed member, and rotatable about an axis transverse to the axis of the insulator; and an intermediate member disposed over a portion of the insulator, and through which pressure is transmitted to the insulator to lock it to its seat when the pressure applying element is rotated.

4. In a spark plug, the combination of a bushing; an electrode carrying insulator adapted to removably seat therein; a retatable pressure applying element, removably journaled in said bushing; and an intermediatei member, disposed over a poi= tion of the insulator, and through which pressure is transmitted to said insulator to lock it to its seat when said pressure applying element is rotated.

5. In a spark plug, the combination of a bushing; an electrode carrying insulator adapted to removably seat therein; a rotatable pressure applying element, removably journaled in said bushing; and an intermediate member, engaged by said pressure applying element and disposed over a portion of the insulator whereby pressure is transmitted from said element to said insulator to lock it to its seat when said pressure applying element is rotated.

6. In a spark plug. the combination of a bushing; an electrode carrying insulator, adapted to removably seat therein; a rotatable pressure applying element, rcmovably journaled in said bushing; and an intermediate member, directly engaging a portion of the insulator and engaged by said rolatahle clement whereby, when said element is rotated. pressure is transmitted through said member to the insulator to lock it to its seat.

7. in a spark plug. the combination of a bushing, an olcctl'rujle carrying insulator adapted to winox'ahly scat therein; a rotatablc prrssurc applying element, journaled in said bushing", and an intermediate member, dircclly engaging the insulator at a plurality of points equi-distant from the axis of the insulator and engaged by said rotatable element whereby, when said ele ment is rotated, pressure is transmitted through said member to the insulator to lock it to its seat.

8. In a iark plug. the combination of :1 bushing; an electrode carrying insulator, adapted to rrmm'ably seat therein, and provided with an upwardly-facing shoulder; a rotatable pressure applying element removzihiy jonrnaled in aid bushing; and a ring seating on said shoulder and engaged by said rotatable element, whereby, when said element is rotated. pressure will be transmitted through said ring to said insulator to lock it to its seat.

9. In a spark plug the combination of a bushing; an electrode carrying insulator adapted to removably seat therein, and pro vided with an upwardly-facing shoulder and :1 transverse opening above said sliouhflnr; a ring seated on said shoulder; and a rotatable pressure applying element,

renioi'ahly journaled in said bushing and extending through the transverse opening in the insulator, said element engaging said ring whereby pressure is transmitted tlnongh said ring to said insulator to lock it to its seat, when the pressure applying clmnent rotated.

.0. In a spark plug, the combination of a bushing; an electrode carrying insulator adapted to renioi'ably seat therein, and pro- \idcd with an upwardly-facing shoulder; a ring seated on said shoulder and provided -ith diametrically opposite openings; and a rotatable pressure applying element, re- :norably journaled in said bushing and engaging in the openings in said ring, Whereby, when said element is rotated, pressure is transmitted through the ring to the insulator to lock it to its seat.

11. In a spark plug. the combination of a bushing; an electrode carrying insulator adapted to removably seat therein, and provided with an upwardly-facing shoulder; a ring seated on said shoulder and provided with diametrically opposite openings; and a rotatable pressure-applying element, removably journaled in said bushing and engaging in the openings in said ring, said openings being so shaped as to limit the rotation of said element, and pressure being transmitted through said ring to said insulator to lock it to its seat when said element is rotated.

12. In a spark plug, the combination of a relatively fixed member; an electrode carrying insulator adapted to rcmovably seat therein; a rotatable member having a cam portion; and an intermediate member adapted to be acted upon by said cam portion and transmitting pressure therefrom to said insulator to lock it to its seat when said lotatable member is rotated.

13. In a spark plug, the combination of a relatively fixed member; an electrode carrying insulator adapted to removably seat 4 therein; a rotatable member having a cam portion; and an intermediate member can gaged by said cam portion and transmitting pressure therefrom to said insulator to lock it to its seat when said rotatable member is rotated.

14:. In a spark plug, the combination of a bushing; an electrode carrying insulator adapted to removably seat therein; a rotatable member removably journaled in said bushing and having a cam portion; and an intermediate member engaged by said cam portion and transmitting pressure therefrom to said insulator to lock it to its seat when said rotatable member is rotated.

15. In a spark plug, the combination of a bushing; an electrode carrying insulator adapted to removably seat therein; a rotatable member, removably journaled in said bushing and having a cam portion; and an intermediate member acted upon by said cam portion and transmitting pressure therefrom to said insulator, at a plurality of points substantially equi-distant from the axis of said insulator, to lock it in its seat when the rotatable member is rotated.

16. In a spark plug, the combination of a bushing; an electrode carrying insulator adapted to removably seat therein and provided with an upwardly-facing shoulder; a rotatable inember, removably journaled in said bushing and having a cam portion; and an intermediate member acting on shoulder, and acted upon by said cam portion and transmitting pressure therefrom to said insulator to lock it to its seat when the rotatable member is rotated.

17. In a spark plug, the combination of a bushing; an electrode carrying insulator adapted to removably seat therein and provided with an u nvardly-facing shoulder; a rotatable member, removably journaled in said bushing and having a cam portion; and a ring resting on said shoulder and provided with diametrically opposite openings engaged by said cam portion, said ring transmitting pressure therefrom to said insulator to lock it to its seat when the rotatable member is rotated.

18. In a spark plug, the combination of a fixed member having an opening, a bearing fixed relative to said member, an electrode carrying insulator adapted to seat in the member, and a wedge member adapted to pass through the bearing and across the insulator and to act thereon in such a manner as to force the two into closer relationship and thereby seat the insulator more firmly, when the wedge member is forced into the fixed member and across the insulator coincidently.

19. In a spark plug, the combination of a bushing; an electrode carrying insulator adapted to removably seat therein; a cranklike member rotatably journaled in the bush ing; and an intermediate member, transmitting pressure from said rotatable member to said insulator, whereby, when said cranklike member is rotated, it serves to force the insulator firmly to its seat and to hold it there by reason of the crank-like member assuming a substantially dead center relationship between the bushing and the intermediate member.

20. In a spark plug, the combination of a bushing member; an insulator member adapted to seat therein, a rotatable member, and an intermediate member transmitting pressure from said rotatable member to said insulator, said rotatable member fulcruming against the bushing and acting against the interanediate member in substantially alining but oppositely directed lines of action passing through points close to the fulcrum point whereby the moment of force tending to rotate the rotatable member through the reaction of the first said members will be too small to overcome the frictional resistance against the rotatable member.

21. In a spark plug, the combination of a relatively fixed member; an electrode carrying insulator adapted to removably seat therein; an element, removable by movement in a plane transverse to the axis of the insulator, and adapted to be actuated to apply pressure to the insulator in the direction of its axis to lock the insulator to its seat; and an intermediate member transmitting pressure from said element to said insulator.

22. In a s ark plug, the combination of a relatively xed member; an electrode carrying insulator adapted to removably seat therein; an element, provided with an operating handle by which said element may be removed by movement in a plane transverse to the axis of the insulator and by which said element may be actuated so as to apply pressure to the insulator in the direction of its axis to lock the insulator to its seat; and an intermediate member transmitting pressure from said element to said insulator.

23. In a spark plug, the combination of a relatively fixed member; an electrode carrying insulator adapted to removably seat therein; an element, removable by movement in a plane transverse to the axis of the insulator and extending over wportion of the insulator, said element beingadeptedwo be so actuated as to apply pressureto the insulator in the direction (if itsaxis'to look the insulator to its seat; and an intermediate member transmitting pressure from said element to said insulator.

24. In a spark plug, the combination of a relatively fixed member; an electrode carrying insulator adapted to removably seat therein, and provided with an upwardlyfacing shoulder; an element, removable by movement in a plane transverseto the axis of the insulator and adapted tobe actuated to apply pressure to the insulator in the direction of its axis to lookit to its seat; and an intermediate member acting on said shoulderof the insulator and transmitting pressure thereto from said element.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signa ture.

HERMAN F. 'SADGEBU'RY.

copies of thin patent may be obtalned'tbr five cents each, by addresamg the "Gummissiun'er OfTl-Nlfl,

Walhfillton, D. 0. 

